As Dutch psychiatrist Joseph DeMann put it, the current mental state of Jovica Stanisic is ’at a very low point and he couldn’t sink any deeper’. According to DeMann, the accused suffers from a depression with elements of psychosis


Dutch psychiatrist Joseph DeMann examined Jovica Stanisic in the detention unit hospital late last month. He found that the former chief of the Serbian state security service suffered from ’a severe depression with elements of psychosis’; this has rendered him unable to attend the trial in next 3 to 6 months. Doctor DeMann today answered the questions of the prosecution, defense and judges, explaining what had led him to conclude that Stanisic wasn’t fit to stand trial.

The psychiatrists who examined Stanisic previously didn’t find any elements of psychosis in his depression. DeMann, however, explained that the condition of the accused had ’worsened significantly’ in the meantime. Stanisic has ’nightmares’, ’has visions of scary creatures’ who ’threaten him’.

According to prosecutor John Docherty, Stanisic’s hallucinations could be caused by the antidepressant Miozepam he has been prescribed. The prosecutor stated that ’it is in the interest of the accused to appear sicker than he actually is ’. He noted, nonetheless, that Stanisic’s mental state could have worsened after the kidney pains and the morphine he was given 24 hours before his appointment with the Dutch psychiatrist.

According to the doctor, Stanisic could get better within next 3 to 6 months if he gets proper treatment, once the medication kicks in. Currently, DeMann concluded, Stanisic’s mental condition is ‘at a very low point and he cannot sink any deeper’, which causes ‘great concern’.

Doctor DeMann will reply by tomorrow to the questions presiding judge Patrick Robinson asked him today about the further course of the trial. The Trial Chamber is trying to ascertain whether Stanisic is able to understand the nature of the charges against him, the proceedings against him and the consequences of the possible life sentence. The Trial Chamber also wants to ascertain if the accused is able to communicate with his defense team and whether he is able to testify in his own defense if he decides to do so. The Trial Chamber also wants to know if Stanisic is physically able to stand trail and if his health condition requires any additional measures to ensure the normal conduct of the trial.

Stanisic, who has been indicted together with his former deputy Franko Simatovic for the crimes Serb police and paramilitary forces committed in Croatia and BH, failed to appear in the courtroom yet again. The report of the Detention Unit physician indicates his condition is ‘worse’ that it was last week; this led him to advise that the accused not attend the hearing. Stanisic’s defense counsel again asked that the health of the accused be discussed in closed session, but Judge Robinson reiterated that his health was ‘a public matter’ in this case.

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